ASITA optimistic tourist arrival projection will be met

Medan (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian Tour and Travel Agencies Association (ASITA) is optimistic that this year`s foreign tourist arrival projection at six million would be met following an improved security situation in the country.

Until June this year the number of foreign tourist arrival is expected to reach around 4.3 millions, the president of the association, Ben Sukma, said to ANTARA News here on Sunday.

He said as there were still six months of the year, "we believe the projection would be met."

He said Bali, Lombok and other small islands in the country remained the favorite places of foreign tourists who spent between 75 and 100 US dollars a day.

He said the resumption of tourist arrivals in Indonesia was among others attributed to the recent arrests of suspected terrorists that had also been confirmed by the US and Australia, and international events that had taken place peacefully in the country to promote the positive image of the country abroad.

He said he hoped the government would continue playing down on reports about terrorism, natural disasters and diseases so that it would not spread abroad.